Interactive diagnostic system and method for managing process model analysis

Abstract

A diagnostic system is provided for diagnosing a process of a plant, using a computing device. A detection unit automatically detects a faulty condition of the process based on a plurality of readings of parameters or measurements associated with the faulty condition for alerting an operator. An analysis unit determines an operating status of the plant based on the plurality of readings of parameters or measurements. A display device graphically links the faulty condition with the plurality of readings of parameters or measurements. A visualization unit displays the operating status of the plant with the readings of parameters or measurements using an alert dashboard grouping related data based on a source of the data for meaningfully illustrating relationships of the displayed data. An alert unit automatically generates a warning message based on the plurality of readings of parameters or measurements to inform the operator of the faulty condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A diagnostic system for diagnosing a process of a plant, using a computing device, the diagnostic system comprising:
 a detection unit configured for automatically detecting a faulty condition of the process based at least on data derived from a plurality of readings of parameters or measurements associated with the faulty condition for alerting an operator, wherein said automatically detecting comprises:
 obtaining the data; 
 generating, using at least one simulation, a plant process model that estimates or predicts expected performance of the plant based on the obtained data, the plant process model including one or more model values; 
 comparing the one or more model values to one or more of the obtained data to calculate one or more offsets; and 
 detecting an error based on the calculated one or more offsets; 
 
 an analysis unit configured for determining an operating status of the plant based at least on the data and the detected error; 
 a display device configured for displaying the data and for graphically linking the faulty condition with the data; 
 a visualization unit configured for displaying the operating status of the plant with the data using an alert dashboard that visually groups the displayed data into related groups based on a source of the data for meaningfully illustrating relationships of the displayed data; and 
 an alert unit configured for automatically generating a warning message based at least on the data to inform the operator of the faulty condition. 
 
     
     
       2. The diagnostic system of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface module configured for providing an interface between the diagnostic system and other related system devices, services, and applications via a computer network. 
     
     
       3. The diagnostic system of  claim 1 , wherein the detection unit identifies a causal relationship that leads to finding a root cause of the faulty condition. 
     
     
       4. The diagnostic system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of readings of parameters or measurements are related to at least one of a process model, a kinetic model, a parametric model, an analytical tool, and a related knowledge and best practice standard. 
     
     
       5. The diagnostic system of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis unit generates a process decision tree based on at least one of an expert knowledge and a causal relationship between the faulty condition and corresponding parameters or measurements. 
     
     
       6. The diagnostic system of  claim 1 , wherein the display device includes a human machine interface configured for receiving an input signal from the operator to graphically or textually interact with the diagnostic system using the alert dashboard.